3 Important Tips For Getting Health Insurance In Montgomery AL

3 Important Tips For Getting Health Insurance In Montgomery AL

Jackson Hospital
1725 Pine St
Montgomery, AL 36106
Phone: (334) 293-8000
Plus Code: 9P87+RV Montgomery, Alabama
Map: Map

The facts are, finding a quality health insurance plan can be a somewhat trying endeaver. If you find that you are uncertain where to begin, you are not alone. This article provides you with 3 useful steps in finding a high-quality health insurance plan for you and your family.

Tip Number 1: Compare different forms of health care plans

There are several health plan options that you may choose from in Montgomery AL. Some you may not be aware of - like faith-based health plans. Faith-based health plans, or health care sharing plans, (as they are sometimes referred to), function very much like traditional health insurance plans. However, they are not insurance plans at all - at least not in a legal sense. The new short-term plans are so different from what was offered in the past, they should be considered a brand new option as well. We will touch on all the options available in the Montgomery Alabama region, below.

Your healthcare plan options in Montgomery are:

Traditional health insurance plans. Traditional health insurance refers to health insurance plans that are under the Affordable Care Act umbrella. Companies offering these plans include: BlueCross BlueShield.
Short-term health insurance plans. Short-term health insurance plans are not so "short" any more. Thanks to new government guidelines, you can, in some cases, keep the same low-cost short-term health insurance plan for a year or longer - making such plans a viable long-term health insurance option. Companies offering these plans include: United Healthcare, National General.
Faith-based healthcare plans. Faith-based, or healthcare sharing plans is an exploding new market. Their unique plan structure makes such plans an intriguing and affordable alternative to traditional health insurance plans. Companies offering these plans include: OneShare Health.

When evaluating your options always review the plan's summary of benefits. Most health plans summaries are closely associated with the plan descriptions found on any quality online health plan source. A provider directory, which displays the facilities and doctors that are part of the plan's physician network, should also be readily available.

Also, when comparing various plans, make certain to pay serious attention to your family's current medical needs. Consider the cost and manner of treatment you have gotten in the past. Though it is not possible to foretell every future medical circumstance, being aware of your family's medical history can assist you in making the right decision.

Interesting Fact: Administrative costs currently make up a major chunk of healthcare spending in the U.S. It takes up about 25 percent of total hospital spending and accounts for hundreds of billions of dollars in healthcare spending annually, The Commonwealth Fund reported. The percentage of total hospital spending devoted to administration is highest in for-profit hospitals, followed by nonprofit hospitals, teaching hospitals and finally public hospitals.

Tip Number 2: Compare healthcare plan physician networks

Be sure to check the physician network of any plan that you are considering. Make certain the specific hospitals or doctors you need, are participating in the network. It's far less expensive to access an in-network doctor or facility than it is to utilize a facility or doctor that is out-of-network. This is due to the fact that insurance firms negotiate with physicians and hospitals to obtain more reasonable rates. When you opt out of the network, those negotiated rates are not available to you. If you have personal doctors and you want to keep visiting them, make certain they are part of the provider network associated with your plan.

Tip Number 3: Compare out-of-pocket costs

Perhaps the most important part of any health plan is the amount you will be responsible to pay should a medical need arise. Make sure you have a clear understanding of what your plan will pay toward a medical bill, and what you will be required to pay. You need to be clear on this issue for most every possible medical circumstance. This includes office visits, x-rays and laboratory tests, emergency room visits, hospital procedures and stays, etc. Also, make sure you know the maximum amount your plan will pay toward every medical circumstance. Many plans have lifetime limits. Some plans have procedure limits. These are things you do not want to learn of after you gone through a medical circumstance. You need to know before you purchase your health insurance plan. When it comes to finding a good health insurance plan in Montgomery, there is a lot you need to know. Talk to the experts. We are happy to help. Give us a call today.

Interesting Fact: One of the factors contributing to high health insurance costs in the U.S. is fraud. Fraud costs the medical and health insurance industry as much as $200 billion a year. This includes abuse of prescription painkillers. The U.S. Center for Disease Control estimates that 12 million adults used prescription drugs for nonmedical reasons in 2010. Of these, there were 170,000 seniors who "doctor shopped," getting prescriptions from at least five doctors for controlled substances.

Other articles: Explaining The Growth of Healthcare Sharing Healthplans
Is Short-Term Health Insurance Right For You?
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